Homeowners associations are useless

[treesquirrel]

Just started a job in a community where we were hired to take out 129 small trees growing into the sides of town homes and pushing up sidewalks.

After getting out and setting up and cutting about 16 trees a bunch of owners rush out to stop us and the property management company called me to halt work.

They have called several association meetings over a 6 month period one of which I attended to answer questions and describe what/why we were doing. Several mailings and even a three week delay due to internal discussion was requested before beginning work. And all of a sudden its not OK to do it.

These meetings and mailings began going out in November of last year. The funny thing is that of 129 units we had about 15-20 folks show up for the Q and A meeting.

Needless to say I am billing for work performed with a fee for having brought all my equipment and crew out but I am expecting to get stiffed or at least payment delayed due to these idiots stupidity.

Unreal!

 

[treevet]

Another issue with dealing with HO associations like that is often they have a management company that assesses work and pays bills. You have absolutely no leverage with who ever is your agent and the last one I dealt with insulted me by lying constantly about payment so I asked him to meet me some where to "discuss" it. 3 mos. waiting for payment.

The best tree job in the world is worth sheaht if you don't get paid.

Also you can have years of flawless service and dedicated attendance to a client that has a board and someone else comes in to run the board and you can get dropped like a hot potato. Sometimes it can just be to show the old board rep that they are the boss now and hands off.

 

[Grace Tree]

Agreed on all your points. You'll probably end up losing something and it's hard to protect yourself from the HA power struggles. Last weekend a guy asked me to remove two small tree. When I asked him if his HA had any regs concerning removing trees he told me; "doesn't matter, I'm the president".
We'll see,
Phil

 

[treevet]

Doesn't matter....I am the President...what a laugher Phil.

Signed contracts and before and after pictures are ammo but you still have to waste time litigating.

 

[Grace Tree]

Advise well taken TV
Thanks,
Phil

 

[gwiley]

I hate HOAs with a passion. Most of them are just a cover to give folks an excuse to tell other people what to do.

Our HOA is a rare exception - my brother and Dad are 2 of the 6 member board (I figured I should be on it too since it might look odd for half the board to be from the same family). About the only thing it exists for is to maintain the 2 miles of private gravel road. There are only 2 pages of "rules" and most of them make sense - no commercial chicken operations for example. And no clear cutting without intent to use the land for something that makes it look decent (pasture for example).

I am always amazed at the stories I get from coworkers who talk about 2" thick binders of rules, huge annual fees and outrageous control over homeowners. Why would you want to live in place like that?

 

[treesquirrel]

Update,

the morons just called and want us to rush right out and continue work.

Equipment is already on another jobsite where it will stay until mid week next week. I don't think I am going to go back until we get paid for what we have done and even then I may not go back.

 

[indiansprings]

I would want compensation for work performed and at least half the contract amount up front minus the dollars paid for the work done. I would explain the time and money involved in moving and setting up equipment. Being jerked around like that would wear real thin on most anyone.

 

[D&B Mack]

HOA's can be a bad thing for any contractor. One thing I've learned is that a thorough hard contract is required to work for them. Even at that, we go to arbitration with at least 1 out of every ten we work for. The only time things have always worked out fine is on the long term maintenance contracts.:bang:

 

[treevet]

HOA's can be a bad thing for any contractor. One thing I've learned is that a thorough hard contract is required to work for them. Even at that, we go to arbitration with at least 1 out of every ten we work for. The only time things have always worked out fine is on the long term maintenance contracts.:bang:

Usually they have a lawyer on retainer so no sweat to litigate. Often they can get one to donate that is a ho. Kills all the profit for us and they know that.:help:

 

[D&B Mack]

Usually they have a lawyer on retainer so no sweat to litigate. Often they can get one to donate that is a ho. Kills all the profit for us and they know that.:help:

:agree2:

On another side note, personally, I don't know how someone can live in a development with an HOA. Can't personally see paying X amount for a house, and then someone tells me how to run it.

"What do you mean I can't put a shed up for my lawnmower? Oh, and no parking more than two cars in the driveway?!?"

I would just save the money and move in with my parents if that is what I wanted.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Wow, seems like alot of guys need to learn how to deal with HOA's before getting in bed with them. I love them! and they listen to me (us), and glad to do it. Maybe it is a regional thing or a newbie getting in that is the problem. My best confrontations are from HOA's and we know what to do. Don't let frustration get the best of you because they will be wanting you when others are fed up or blow it.
Jeff

 

[mattfr12]

Wow, seems like alot of guys need to learn how to deal with HOA's before getting in bed with them. I love them! and they listen to me (us), and glad to do it. Maybe it is a regional thing or a newbie getting in that is the problem. My best confrontations are from HOA's and we know what to do. Don't let frustration get the best of you because they will be wanting you when others are fed up or blow it.
Jeff

explain?

 

[treevet]

Wow, seems like alot of guys need to learn how to deal with HOA's before getting in bed with them. I love them! and they listen to me (us), and glad to do it. Maybe it is a regional thing or a newbie getting in that is the problem. My best confrontations are from HOA's and we know what to do. Don't let frustration get the best of you because they will be wanting you when others are fed up or blow it.
Jeff

Again, and no offense intended, but an employee is a different animal than a company owner dealing with a HOA.

 

[rmh3481]

Attorney on retainer doesnt mean its free to litigate.

 

[treevet]

Attorney on retainer doesnt mean its free to litigate.

never said it did....but they are armed and ready (and experienced likely).

The free one they often have through residents is cause for concern as well.

I have been dealing with HOA's for 41 years now. Most experiences are good.

 

[treeclimber101]

I have dealt with HO assoc for more than 15 yrs. on a lawn maintenance level and currently performing biannual tree care for about six different communities all having management comp. who oversee and pay the bills , with the exception of only one, I am satisfied with the fashion we are payed and often less than net thirty, snow on the other hand has been a complete nightmare .... And now planned tree work has been postponed because of so much snow ...... My best advice is be deliberate with everything that is planned , mark the trees clearly place notices on in the clubhouses and or mailboxes notifying the people well in advance of the planned work and this may avoid you wasting your time/money for cancellations..

 

[jefflovstrom]

Again, and no offense intended, but an employee is a different animal than a company owner dealing with a HOA.

You make no sense. I am not an owner or "mustache breath," the need to explain shows the ignorance- no offense.
Jeff

 

[treesquirrel]

I have dealt with HO assoc for more than 15 yrs. on a lawn maintenance level and currently performing biannual tree care for about six different communities all having management comp. who oversee and pay the bills , with the exception of only one, I am satisfied with the fashion we are payed and often less than net thirty, snow on the other hand has been a complete nightmare .... And now planned tree work has been postponed because of so much snow ...... My best advice is be deliberate with everything that is planned , mark the trees clearly place notices on in the clubhouses and or mailboxes notifying the people well in advance of the planned work and this may avoid you wasting your time/money for cancellations..

Clearly good advice. This one is a learning experience for me for sure.

 

[treevet]

You make no sense. I am not an owner or "mustache breath," the need to explain shows the ignorance- no offense.
Jeff

you are the employee in that quote Jeff :monkey: (no offense intended)